Severn Conservatives

17/02/2022

Tonight I will be at Stroud Distiect Council's Budget meeting where I will be proposing an amendment to stop the Labour led Stroud District Council from raising parking charges in Stroud by 12.5%. If you support this please sign our on-line petition.

Change.org is the web's leading platform for social change, empowering anyone, anywhere to start petitions that make a difference.

17/02/2022

On Wednesday I attended the County Council Full Budget Meeting where the budget to "Build back better" was passed.

17/02/2022

On Tuesday John Jones and I attended the presentation on the proposed Solar Farm in Arlingham. This was informative and did answer some of the questions raised. We can now expect a planning application which should come before the Development and Control Committee at Stroud District Council. Once this application has been made, local residents can comment to Stroud District Council.

17/02/2022

It has been a busy week. On Monday I attended Hunts Grove Parish Council and Slimbridge Parish Council.

11/02/2022

10/02/2022

Today I have launched a Petition to stop Stroud District Council from increasing Parking Charges by 12.5%
Please sign and share
https://www.change.org/p/stop-parking-price-increases-in-stroud
Thanks

Stop Parking Price Increases in Stroud

10/02/2022

Today I published an Open Letter to the Labour, Green and Liberal Democrat Leaders of Stroud District Council asking them to reconsider their decision to increase Parking Charges by 12.5%.
See below:
Leader Conservative Group
Ebley Mill
Stroud
Gloucestershire
GL5 4UB
Monday 7th February 2022
Open Letter to Stroud District Council Leaders : Opposition to increase in Parking Charges
To : Doina Cornell, Leader of Stroud District Council
Catherine Braun, Deputy Leader of Stroud District Council
Ken Tucker, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Group
I am extremely concerned that you have taken a decision to significantly raise parking prices in Stroud District Council Car Parks by 12.5% or 10p in the first hour.
When you tried to add parking charges to our free car parks in [2018/19], it was made abundantly clear that parking charges are a barrier for trade for our high street businesses. That was even before our retailers had suffered the economic shock of lockdown closures.
Your plans also come at a time when hard pressed families are already feeling the impact of many costs rising due to the global pandemic. We should be encouraging people into our towns to spend locally and away from online services, not put them off by hiking parking charges.
I am informed that part of your decision is to penalise the use of cars for the sake of the saving the environment. You are however well aware that in a largely rural district, the majority of our residents rely on their vehicles and this will be the case for many years to come.
Further, Stroud District Council should honour its own initiatives for the environment before penalising residents. We are still waiting for you to increase the number of electric charging points in the council’s car parks in accordance with the motion passed two years ago.
During the 2021 local elections the Conservatives were clear that if we were in charge of the council we would implement a period of free parking. As this was a fully costed proposal, we know that the council can afford not to implement an above inflation parking increase, nor is it cost effective.
It is imperative that Stroud District Council works harder to be business friendly and be mindful of the unintended consequences of your decisions.
I hope you will agree to modify the budget accordingly.
Yours Sincerely
Stephen Davies
Leader of the Conservative Group
Stroud District Council

02/02/2022

Last week I had the pleasure of visiting Longney Primary School and was really impressed with the new building work, and heard what a good job the builders were doing. Great to see investment in our local schools.

01/02/2022

Last week I walked down the proposed Canal development with the team and discussed their plans. We also discussed how we might link the Bridle paths either side of the M5. If we can find a way we will do this.

10/09/2021

PRESS RELEASE : Eviction of Rush and Grace Networks : Leader of Stroud District Council refuses to apologise
In an emergency meeting of Stroud District Council called by the Conservative Group requesting an urgent update on the Brimscombe Port development we learnt the the Leader of Stroud District Council, Doina Cornell (Labour) when offered the opportunity, refused to apologise for serving eviction notices on Rush and the Grace Network. She went on to say she felt let down by Rush and criticised the current facility. The Deputy Leader Catherine Braun (Green) referenced numerous “good” conversations with both organisations but when questioned admitted there were no specific outcomes. Although Grace network have found an alternative location, they have incurred disruption and cost. Tragically Rush have now lost any source of income and are still looking for an alternative location.

They also confirmed that there are no immediate plans to connect the proposed basin at Brimscombe Port to the Canal network and as a result this will result in ridiculous situation of craning boats into the Basin (and out again when they require repair.)

Stephen Davies commented "It was critical we called the emergency meeting as only now we know the reality behind the Labour led Alliance's cynical claims to care about Rush or the Grace Network."

09/09/2021

You can tell it is Autumn. At Eastington Parish Council an important discussion on Grit bins and stocking them for the winter.

19/08/2021

I was on BBC Gloucestershire talking to Anna King this morning talking about Gloucestershire County Council need for more Foster Carers and the new 8 week assessment. You can listen at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p09qmk0g
Thank you for having me.

Stories to make you smile and Make A Difference with Anna.